Pasco Tax Collector Mike Fasano announces his office’s charitable giving figures for 2016, as well as cumulative totals since the fundraising program began in the latter part of 2013. The charitable giving program was created not long after Mike Fasano became tax collector in 2013 to primarily help local non-profit organizations. The periodic promotions raise both donations and a heightened awareness in the community of the services these organizations provide as well as their need for greater public support. Statewide organizations assisted through the program must have a local component through which Pasco County residents may receive services if eligible.
The first charitable promotion held at the tax collector’s office was to increase the sale of the “Biker’s Care” specialty tag in October, 2013. Since that point in time the Pasco Tax Collector’s Office has partnered with 36 different charities, raising over a quarter million dollars (to date $253,700 has been raised). This figure does not include the value of donated toys, gifts, shoes, food, nor the value of volunteers recruited to help those charities that requested volunteer recruitment assistance. These non-cash donations can’t be quantified. If they could the overall donation total would be even larger.
“I am so proud of the staff at all five of our offices,” states Tax Collector Mike Fasano. “When I often say they are second to none I truly mean that. The fact that in addition to the many duties they perform serving our customers on a daily basis they were able to raise over a quarter million dollars for our nonprofit groups is amazing. Over the years a very generous public has demonstrated their willingness to help charities that do important work helping people in need.”
2016 proved to be one of the most successful of the past three and half years. $95,381.51 was raised during the past twelve months alone. This past year the Pasco Tax Collector’s Office held fundraising efforts on behalf of Kiddy-Up Ranch, AFIRE of Pasco, PACE Center for Girls, the Alzheimer’s Family Organization, ASAP of Pasco, Two Good Soles Shoes and Socks Drive, Moffitt Cancer Center, One Community Now’s Hunger Walk, Take Stock in Children, AAA Traffic Safety Foundation, Florida Breast Cancer Foundation, Farm Share, the Volunteer Way, Be a Santa to a Senior, Toys For Tots and the Pasco Sheriff’s K-9 Association.
Looking forward into 2017 the Pasco Tax Collector’s Office will be adding some new charities to its giving program. These include: Restored Hope of Dade City, NAMI of Pasco, CARES, Nourish to Flourish, Smile Faith Foundation, Blanket Tampa Bay and the Good Samaritan Clinic. Additionally, certain organizations including the Farm Share Holiday Food Giveaway, the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation and the holiday season charities will all be featured in 2017.
Organizations that would like to be considered for the Pasco Tax Collector’s Office charitable giving program, or for more information about the program in general, please contact Greg Giordano, Assistant Tax Collector, at 727-847-8179 or email ggiordano@pascotaxes.com For information about services provided by the tax collector’s office please visit www.pascotaxes.com